Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Last March one of my Hog females drop down a little bunch of beautiful newborn with a GREAT problem: they have never eaten a single meal alone. Since their second week (after 10 days they shed) a started to force feed them but now I’m bored of that. Is it possible that they won’t eat?

Please I’m looking for some tricks and tips to start them…Do you think the “eat-that-or-nothing” way should work?

Thanks a lot guys and gals

Steno

I've never force fed snakes before, but I have had neonates wait up to a month after shedding before finally taking that first strike. Alot of times (here) they wait up to a week after shedding. I find it easiest to get them to feed on mice or hampsters / usually smaller than normal / just to get them started. After about their 3rd or 4th feeding, they seem to tag baby rats with no problems. I know those who start there's right off on rats, as have I, but it seems to take a bit more patience on my end this way.
I've heard that it can be difficult to get force fed babies to switch over, but I wouldn't know from experience. -----Good luck to your efforts. David

i got a baby hog , n he wouldnt eat at all! i had to force feed him for two months , n then i waited about 2 weeks, n gave him a live mouse , n he took its instanstly . if you are trying frozen , i suggest trying live to see if thatll stimulate them, they can be problematic feeders in the beginning.
-----
John woodward
JW REPTILES

>>Last March one of my Hog females drop down a little bunch of beautiful newborn with a GREAT problem: they have never eaten a single meal alone. Since their second week (after 10 days they shed) a started to force feed them but now I’m bored of that. Is it possible that they won’t eat?
>>
>>Please I’m looking for some tricks and tips to start them…Do you think the “eat-that-or-nothing” way should work?
>>
>>Thanks a lot guys and gals
>>
>>Steno

I know it sounds cruel, but if the babies are in no danger of dying from starvation (In other words: hanging flesh, losing weight) then the wait will more than likely work. Keep each of them in its own small tub (babies like to feel secure) and continue offering food once a week. Try live fuzzy mice or pinky rats and leave them in overnight. DO NOT leave in anything larger than those overnight (anything bigger could hurt the babies).

Stop force feeding them, its just going to stress them out more. If you have some that look like they're starving, assist-feed them a moistened rat tail or two.

-cat
-----
Lower Ground Reptiles

www.lowergroundreptiles.net